02-05-2025
Thai Pattaya Lubbock opens soon. Here's when, hours, and sneak peek at menu
A local family is opening their dream restaurant in Lubbock on Saturday, serving the flavors of Laos and Thai cuisine.
Thai Pattaya, 4809 34th St., initially opened in Levelland and started preparing to move to Lubbock late last year. After several months of preparation, the family is ready to open at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 3.
"My mom is from Vientiane, Laos, and she has always wanted to start a restaurant, but she never could fulfil that dream until she moved to Texas," said Christina Keomany, daughter of the family. "We want other people to be able to experience our culture and food."
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The restaurant's six-page menu includes:
12 appetizer options, including Crab Rangoon and Lao Sausage.
Five types of curry: Green, Massaman, Panang, Yellow and Red.
Eight soups, including Pho, Hot & Sour, and Tom Yum.
32 entrees, split into the categories of Popular Dishes, Entrees and Chef's Specials. Laarb and Spicy Papaya Salad are two new dishes from Laos cuisine.
Six desserts, including Mango with Sticky Rice.
Every menu item has a photo and description. Keomany recommended people try the Drunken Noodles, Pad Thai, and the traditional Laos Chef Specials. Previous Levelland customers will also find some new options.
"We have Laarb, which is traditional Laos food, and not a lot of people have heard about it," Keomany said. "We've added more Laos food, compared to the other restaurant. For example, we have Khao Piak, which is basically a rice noodle dish. We've added Pad Ginger and Pineapple Chicken."
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Pattaya is a city in Thailand known for its beaches. However, Thai Pattaya has a deeper meaning for the family. When Phitsamay Sayarath, head chef and Keomany's mother, lived in Rhode Island, she worked at a place with the same name, which has since closed down.
"She had this dream of owning her own restaurant," Keomany said. "She was always just an employee, and she knows how hard it is to work hours or raise kids, like, especially alone. So when we moved here, she said 'that name really means something to me, and I want to name my restaurant that.'"
The restaurant also means much to Keomany, a student at Frenship High School. It was the basis for her college essay.
"To us, Thai Pattaya has a greater meaning than beaches," Keomany said. "My family is very hard-working, and we would love if people come try our food, even if it's just one small dish."
Thai Pattaya's hours will be 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and closed on Sundays after this weekend. For opening weekend, the restaurant will be open on Sunday, May 4, from noon-8 p.m. People can keep up with Thai Pattaya on Facebook and Instagram.
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Alana Edgin writes about business for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Got a news tip? Contact her via email at aedgin@
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: When is Thai Pattaya Lubbock restaurant open? Here's hours, menu
